15 Summer College Programs for High School Students in Virginia
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
High school is a key time to explore different subjects and figure out what you might want to study or do after graduation. Summer programs can give you a chance to see what college life is like and try out fields you’re interested in, all without committing to a full semester. They also allow you to learn from professors, work on projects, and connect with peers who share your interests. If you’re based in or around Virginia, there’s plenty of local options to choose from.
Virginia is home to several reputable colleges that offer programs for high school students. Colleges such as George Mason, James Madison, and VCU offer programs in fields such as science, technology, arts, language studies, and healthcare. Attending a local program can also save on travel and housing costs while still letting you get the full campus experience. Whether you’re looking to explore a potential major, build new skills, or simply experience college life firsthand, these programs provide a structured and supportive way to grow.
To help you explore what’s available, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer college programs for high school students in Virginia!
15 Summer College Programs for High School Students in Virginia
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Very selective; 272 interns in recent years
Location:Â George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (also includes Science and Technology Campus and Potomac Science Center)
Cost:Â Free; $25 application fee (can be waived based on financial need)
Dates: June 18–August 8
Application Deadline:Â Applications open in December and close in early February
Eligibility:Â High school students ages 15+ for most internships; must be 16+ by June 18 for any wet-lab assignments. Open to non-U.S. citizens (no visa sponsorship provided)
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) at George Mason University offers high school and undergraduate students a hands-on research experience across a wide range of STEM fields. If you're selected, you'll work directly with faculty mentors on active research projects in subjects like neuroscience, environmental science, cybersecurity, molecular medicine, robotics, and more. Over eight weeks, you'll gain lab experience, develop scientific writing and presentation skills, and complete a research poster for the program’s final symposium. Some participants even contribute to scientific publications or patent new inventions through Mason's innovation network.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 10 students accepted
Location: Longwood University, Farmville, VA
Cost: Free; participants earn a summer stipend
Dates: June 5–July 3
Application Deadline: Applications open in early February; exact deadline not specified
Eligibility: High school students interested in STEM careers; all grade levels welcome
The Summer Scholars: Exploring Science program at Longwood University is an eight-week residential research experience where you explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. You work with faculty mentors on research projects in chemistry, biology, environmental science, mathematics, and computer science. You join Longwood's PRISM research groups, collaborate on proposals, and present your findings to the scientific community. You also take part in enrichment activities like research ethics training and sessions on graduate school.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; varies by campus
Location:Â Multiple campuses across Virginia (ODU, Radford, UVA, VT, William & Mary)
Cost:Â Free
Dates: William & Mary: June 22–25; Virginia Tech & Radford: July 20–23; Old Dominion: July 27–30; University of Virginia: July 30–August 2
Application Deadline:Â February 1
Eligibility:Â Rising 9th and 10th-grade students (current 8th or 9th graders); must be a Virginia resident with at least a 2.7 GPA; first-time applicants only.
BLAST is a free, three-day residential summer STEM program for Virginia’s rising 9th and 10th-graders who are interested in science and technology. Hosted at five Virginia universities: Old Dominion, Radford, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary, the program gives you the chance to live on campus and participate in immersive, faculty-led STEM activities. You’ll explore hands-on projects, lab demonstrations, and group challenges designed to broaden your understanding of STEM fields and possible careers.Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; 20 students
Location:Â Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
Cost:Â Free
Dates: July 13–26
Application Deadline:Â February 1
Eligibility:Â Rising high school juniors and seniors who identify as young women; preference for underserved students
The Hollins University Summer Scholars Program is a fully funded, two-week residential program for young women who are rising high school juniors or seniors. Held on Hollins’ campus in Roanoke, Virginia, the program includes college-level seminars, small group discussions, and faculty-led workshops in subjects like literature, philosophy, and social sciences. The program provides mentorship and guidance on the college admissions process, including FAFSA, essay writing, and recommendations. Participants continue to receive support and advising throughout their college search after the program ends.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; varies each year
Location:Â NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Cost:Â Free
Dates: Summer Academy typically held in July (exact dates vary); online course runs November–April
Application Deadline:Â October 26
Eligibility:Â Virginia high school juniors and seniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; minimum 2.7 GPA
The Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) program is an opportunity where you explore space, engineering, and STEM as a high school junior in Virginia. You start by completing seven online modules during the academic year that cover topics like aerospace engineering, space exploration, and human missions to Mars. You solve real-world problems, design space vehicles, and join discussion forums to improve technical writing and analytical skills. Top-performing students are invited to a week-long residential summer academy at NASA Langley in Hampton, VA, where they work on a Mars mission design project, tour NASA facilities, and interact with engineers, scientists, and technologists.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; not publicly listed
Location:Â Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Cost:Â Free; lunch and materials provided
Dates: July 13–17
Application Deadline:Â May 2Â
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders (including graduating seniors); minimum 3.0 GPA; U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Dental Careers Exploration (DCE) program at VCU is a five-day, hands-on summer experience for high school students interested in dentistry. DCE is one of the few free summer college programs for high school students in Virginia that focuses specifically on dental careers. Held at the VCU School of Dentistry in Richmond, the program covers multiple dental professions including general dentistry, dental hygiene, and specialties, through lab activities such as suturing, tooth carving, and digital dentistry. You’ll also explore academic pathways to the profession, hear from dental professionals, and participate in interactive workshops.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; 30 students accepted
Location:Â Virginia Commonwealth University (MCV Campus), Richmond, VA
Cost:Â Free; lunch provided
Dates: July 7–11
Application Deadline:Â Applications close once the 30-student cap is reached (typically spring)
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders; demonstrated interest in healthcare, with preference for those considering pharmacy
The Pharmacy Summer Scholars Program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a week-long summer experience where you explore pharmacy as a healthcare profession. You take part in non-sterile compounding labs, meet current pharmacy students, and tour hospital, community, and clinical pharmacy settings. The program also covers the academic path to becoming a pharmacist, including prerequisites, degree options, and career areas from clinical practice to research and public health.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective; cohort sizes vary by program
Location:Â Multiple colleges and universities across Virginia (e.g., Virginia Tech, Radford University, College of William & Mary, University of Lynchburg)
Cost:Â FreeÂ
Dates: Varies by program; typically late June–late July
Application Deadline:Â Applications typically due by mid-winter through local school divisions
Eligibility:Â Rising 11th and 12th-grade Virginia public school students; nomination and school/district-level selection required
The Summer Residential Governor’s Schools (SRGS) are highly selective, four-week academic and arts programs designed for Virginia’s rising juniors and seniors. These in-person programs are hosted at colleges and universities across the state and cover specialized topics like mathematics, science, medicine, humanities, visual and performing arts, marine science, engineering, and agriculture. As a participant, you’ll engage in intensive coursework, lab and fieldwork, seminars, and collaborative projects with university faculty and professionals in your chosen field. Students in the mentorship tracks, such as marine science or engineering, work alongside experts in research settings.Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not selective; rolling admissions
Location:Â University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Cost:Â $5,640 (non-credit flat rate); $25 application fee; no institutional financial aid for high school students
Dates: June 16–August 8
Application Deadline:Â March 28 (rolling admissions starting December 1)
Eligibility:Â Rising high school juniors and seniors (age 18+ preferred); additional consent forms required for minors
The Summer Language Institute (SLI) at the University of Virginia offers an intensive, immersive environment for language learning over the summer. Open to rising high school juniors and seniors, this in-person program covers Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Latin, Russian, and Spanish. Over eight weeks, you’ll work through the equivalent of a full academic year of college-level instruction, developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in a fast-paced setting. Classes are small and student-focused, and participants take a proficiency test at the end of the program to assess their progress.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; up to 30 students
Location:Â James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Cost:Â $1,500; financial aid available; $250 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance
Dates: July 13–19
Application Deadline:Â February 28
Eligibility:Â Rising high school juniors and seniors
At the Summer Honors Institute at James Madison University, you spend a week living on campus and experiencing university life. You take a core course that covers multiple subjects and attend daily classes in areas like science, humanities, arts, business, and social sciences. You do hands-on activities, join college admissions workshops, and explore the Shenandoah Valley through field trips and campus events. Housing, meals, and materials are provided, giving you a full introduction to college academics and campus life.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not selective; open until full
Location:Â Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
Cost:Â $2,750 (includes $1,450 tuition + $1,300 room and board); no financial aid listed
Dates: July 7–18
Application Deadline:Â Applications close when full; payment due June 16
Eligibility:Â Rising 10th, 11th, 12th graders, and incoming college freshmen
The Experiences in Architecture (EiA) program at the Catholic University of America is a two-week pre-college workshop where you explore architecture and design before college. You take studio classes, do daily drawing sessions, and complete 2D and 3D design exercises, including charrettes that mirror first-year architecture coursework. You visit museums, historic sites, and contemporary installations in Washington, D.C., and get insight into professional practice through firm visits, digital design tool training, and guidance from faculty. You sketch on-site and model in the studio, building skills and confidence in architectural thinking.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not publicly listed; fills quickly
Location:Â Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Cost:Â $1,400; limited need-based scholarships available
Dates: July 6–12
Application Deadline:Â Registration closes when full (typically spring)
Eligibility:Â Rising 11th and 12th graders; must have completed Algebra I and one additional math class
Virginia Tech’s Data Science Camp is a weeklong, residential summer program designed for rising 11th and 12th-graders interested in learning how to use data to solve real-world problems. During the camp, you’ll build a small computer cluster, explore data collection methods, and apply statistical analysis to projects in areas like public health, environmental science, or education. You'll work in small teams, attend lectures and workshops, and present your final project at a showcase for families. In addition to technical skills, the camp includes sessions on college readiness and networking with professionals in the field.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; 300 students nationally
Location:Â George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Cost:Â $2,600; limited partial and full scholarships available
Dates: June 22–27
Application Deadline:Â Rolling; nominations typically required before applying
Eligibility:Â Outstanding rising 11th and 12th grade students (current 10th and 11th graders); strong interest in environmental science or related fields
The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE) is a week-long academic experience where you explore environmental science, conservation, and sustainability as a rising high school junior or senior. You take part in classroom sessions, field visits, and behind-the-scenes tours of sites like the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Shenandoah National Park, and the National Aquarium. The program updates its curriculum each year to cover current environmental challenges, and you interact with experts from organizations such as National Geographic, the U.S. Department of Energy, and NOAA. You also earn one college credit from George Mason University.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Not publicly listed; competitive admission
Location:Â Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost:Â $3,905 (residential); $3,025 (commuter); limited financial aid available
Dates: Session I: June 8–14; Session II: June 22–28; Session III: July 6–12
Application Deadline:Â April 15 (final); early bird deadline January 31 (fee waived)
Eligibility: High school students (rising 10th–12th graders); must be at least 15 years old by check-in
The Georgetown University Medical Academy is a one-week summer program where you explore medicine through lectures, clinical simulations, and hands-on training. You practice skills like suturing, orthopedic casting, ultrasound, and patient care using medical mannequins in clinical labs. You attend lectures on human anatomy, pathology, biomedical ethics, radiology, and trauma surgery led by faculty from Georgetown’s School of Medicine and physicians from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. You also participate in dissections, off-site visits, and complete a capstone project.
15. UVA Advance
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Selective; exact cohort size not publicly listed
Location:Â University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Cost: Virginia Residents: $6,995; Non-Virginia Residents: $14,651; Need-based financial aid available for Virginia residents
Dates: July 12–August 8
Application Deadline:Â Applications open in winter; financial aid priority deadline is March 15
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders (must be 15–18 years old); minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA; Virginia residents and U.S. citizens or permanent residents only for financial aid consideration
UVA Advance is the University of Virginia’s pre-college program where you spend four weeks living on campus and taking college courses. You enroll in a core seminar just for UVA Advance students and an elective course with current undergraduates, giving you both a close academic group and experience in a larger classroom. You live in residence halls, use student services like libraries and dining, and join workshops on college readiness, research, and academic skills. Social activities and local excursions add to the experience.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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